Depleted Uranium

Mr. Menzies Campbell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies or tests are currently being undertaken by or on behalf of the MOD into non- radioactive or contaminating substitutes for depleted uranium weapons and armour; and if he will make a statement. [95964]

Mr. Spellar:
MOD has for many years conducted research into a range of weapon and armour materials and designs. Depleted uranium provides a significant margin of operational effectiveness over other materials when employed in certain weapon systems. Research continues

Iraq (No-fly Zones)

Mr. Menzies Campbell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total cost to his Department of maintaining and prosecuting the defence of the northern and southern no-fly zones in Iraq each year since 1992, including projected figures for 1999; and if he will make a statement. [95970]

Mr. Hoon:
Our records do not separately identify expenditure incurred in maintaining the no-fly zones. However, the table sets out the overall additional expenditure incurred by my Department as a direct result of operations in the Gulf from 1992-93 onwards.

Tomahawk Missiles

Mr. Menzies Campbell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the (a) planned order and (b) date of completion for each adaptation of Astute and Trafalgar class submarines to fire Tomahawk missiles; and if he will make a statement. [95968]

Mr. Hoon:
The adaptation of HMS Triumph to fire Tomahawk missiles was completed earlier this year. Work on HMS Trafalgar is in hand. It is currently planned that the adaptation of the remaining Trafalgar Class submarines will be completed by about 2006.

Mr. Menzies Campbell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the United Kingdom total requirement for Block III Tomahawk missiles; how many have been (a) delivered and (b) used; and when he expects the Royal Navy to have the full complement of missiles required. [95969]

Mr. Hoon:
The UK originally contracted to buy 65 Tomahawk missiles. Knowledge of the delivery schedule and the number used would assist a potential adversary to assess our stock level and operational capability. I am therefore withholding this information in accordance with Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Mr. Menzies Campbell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 27 July 1999, Official Report, columns 199-200, when the contract was signed with the United States Department of Defense for the replenishment on RN Tomahawk missiles; what are the delivery terms of the contract; how many replacement missiles will be purchased; at what cost to his Department; and if he will make a statement. [95974]

Mr. Hoon:
A contract for 20 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles was signed on 1 August 1999. The cost will be met from the Reserve. Knowledge of the delivery schedule would assist a potential adversary to assess our stock level and operational capability. I am therefore withholding this information in accordance with Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

HEALTH

Thermal Insulation Standards

Mr. Levitt:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the recommended thermal insulation standard for pipework and ducting in his Department's PFI programmes; and in what proportion of contracts this standard is met. [94887]

Mr. Denham:
National Health Service Estates "Model Engineering Specification CO2: Thermal Insulation" specifies recommended insulation standards. The guidance is not mandatory and it is for NHS trusts to determine what is required for each scheme.

Correspondence

Mr. Green:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department will reply to the letters of the hon. Member for Ashford of 22 April, 26 May, 12 July and 2 September concerning the case of Dr. A. Singh. [96107]

Mr. Denham:
I regret that due to an administrative error, the hon. Member's letter of 22 April was misfiled. I replied today.

Uniform Business Rate

Mr. Hammond:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the aggregate increase in uniform business rates payable by all NHS trusts and health authorities in England and Wales from 1 April 2000 as a result of the 2000 rating revaluation. [96256]

Mr. Denham:
The draft rating list will be published in December. The cost of unified business rates for the National Health Service in England will be dependent on the rate poundage and the extent of transitional relief. Decisions on these will be taken in January.